When 2017 started I began a new weekly devotional blog that is based on the lectionary. This was stirred up in conversation with quite a few who said things like, “I’d love to be in Bible study but I don’t have time.” or “I don’t know my Bible so I look like a goof at Bible study.” So in an attempt to open God’s word to more people I started this blog. Each week I will focus on one of the readings the the lectionary (either the weekday lectionary or Sunday’s RCL texts). For all of the passages I will share the text, reflection, and a prayer. Short, sweet, and truly to the text..God’s word. So check it out…and what for this blog to stir very soon again as well.

Joyful Servant Lutheran Church is CLOSED today due to snow. Our weekday policy is to follow the Newberg School District. Stay safe, stay warm, check in on neighbors who may be alone or need help. If you have an emergency please contact Pastor Kim via phone or text at 571-330-6408. Happy Snow Day!

Join us as we celebrate and reflect on the birth of the Savior of this world, Jesus Christ at 7pm on Christmas Eve! Songs and carols, children’s message, prayer, and Holy Communion. A place where all are welcome…where the good news is for everyone.

And then why not join us at 10am on Christmas Day for our Lessons and Carols in Pajamas! That’s right come as you are!

Joyful Servant Lutheran Church is CLOSED tomorrow due to snow. Our weekday policy is to follow the Newberg School District. Note this means there is NO BibleStudy tomorrow at 11, and we will commence again in the 2nd week of January. Stay safe, stay warm, check in on neighbors who may be alone or need help. If you have an emergency please contact Pastor Kim via phone or text at 571-330-6408. Happy Snow Day!

Due to the impending weather conditions and the closure of Newberg School District the church is closed today. All meetings and events of any kind are cancelled today. If you have an emergency please contact Pastor Kim directly at 571-330-6408 – voice or text is appropriate.

Please stay warm, safe, and check in on neighbors who might need an extra hand in the next 24 hours.

Monday-Friday: if the Newberg School District is closed, we will be closed as well – that includes any events at the church for that day. Case-by-case basis exceptions may and will be announced as they come up.

Second, when the weather concerns happen on a Sunday Pastor Kim and the Council President will confer and make a decision regarding worship and Sunday School by 7am.

To learn of these possible closings please listen to the local news regarding school for Newberg School District. All Joyful Servant closings will be posted here on FB, updated to our website, sent out via a Joyful Jot, and recorded on our voicemail. We will make phone calls to the handful of folks who do not have email or regular access to the Internet.

Bottom line is this….if you think it is unsafe, stay home! Say a prayer at home. Sing your favorite hymn or song. Read your Bible. Pastor Kim may even post a devotion or a reflection online to help you in your faith practice. Be safe. Check on your neighbors.

My friends, on Sunday evening the church office computer was hacked and the data on the computer (and the backup drive) was encrypted and in order to decrypt it, a ransom of over $700K was being sought. Well, that means only one thing – we have had our system wiped clean and we must start again.

What does that mean? Well, it means that everything from membership database, to accounting files, to bulletins, to newsletters is gone and needs to be recreated. This will take time and a lot of extra hours on the part (mainly) of Katie our office administrator. In light of this we ask for your patience if things appear to take longer than usual. If you need to reach Katie please call the office – as currently she does not have access to her email. Electronic giving and any financial identification was not involved and therefore is still quite safe.

As we recreate things we will be increasing security and that includes data storage offsite (or “in the cloud”) – so that if future attacks occur we will have backup untouched. This is a hard lesson to learn – but one we can all personally grow from and ensure our own personal computers have virus protection, that we have backup off site, and that we don’t leave a backup connected at all times.

Thanks for your prayers and patience as we “begin again” and here’s to a lesson learned and a stronger system going forward.

I want to share a blog that a friend and colleague of mine, The Rev. Julie Hutson, pastor of Luther Memorial Church in Seattle, WA has started to curate. Each day she lifts of a small piece of light and hope that is right in our midst….check it out!